10 best trading platforms and apps in Canada for 2026

The best trading platforms are easy to use, have low or no fees and offer all the features you need to trade confidently. To help you compare options and find the best platform for your needs, we found the 10 best stock trading platforms and apps in Canada.

10 best trading platforms and apps in Canada for 2026

• Best overall trading platform and app: Questrade
• Best for a well-rounded trading experience: Qtrade Direct Investing
• Best brokerage for trading Canadian stocks: Wealthsimple Investing
• Best trading platform for beginners: CIBC Investor's Edge
• Best platform for an easy-to-use interface: BMO InvestorLine Self-Directed
• Best for low margin rates: Interactive Brokers
• Best online and mobile trading app: Moomoo
• Best platform for trading features: RBC Direct Investing
• Best Big Bank platform with a demo account: Scotia iTRADE
• Best trading platform by a Big Six Bank: National Bank Direct Brokerage

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Best overall trading platform and app

9.6 Excellent Questrade

9.6 Excellent

$0

$0

1.5%

$0

Get $50 cash back when you open a Questrade self-directed investing account through Finder. T&Cs apply.

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Why we like it Questrade is our top pick for the best stock trading app in Canada, and for very good reasons. One of its most obvious best perks is its commission-free fee structure, where investors can trade both Canadian and US stocks and ETFs with $0 commission fees. Beginner investors will appreciate that the platform offers nearly all types of registered accounts, including FHSAs, TFSAs, RRSPs, RESPs, and LIRAs, and access to fractional shares. You can also get access to a range of educational resources. Advanced traders will appreciate that Questrade accommodates Norbert’s Gambit by supporting journaling shares—a strategy that can save investors hundreds of dollars on high value USD investments by converting CAD to USD for a flat fee of around $9.95 CAD instead of paying a percentage FX fee per trade. A unique Questrade perk is its dual-currency account, which allows you to hold CAD and USD jointly in one account, helping investors minimize paying an FX fee per US security trade. These CAD/USD accounts are free and don’t charge any ongoing monthly or annual account maintenance fees. Questrade offers three different mobile trading apps: Questrade, Questrade Edge (designed for advanced traders) and Questrade FX (designed for FX trading). Both the Questrade and Questrade Edge app are very highly rated for both iOS and Android. Pros & cons Pros Instant account funding: Supports instant deposits of up to $10,000 via debit card or with Interac e-Transfers Free Portfolio automation: Passive ETF investors will get access to free Passiv integration, where you can automate 1-click portfolio rebalancing Rebates for Switching: Questrade offers transfer-in rebates to cover the cost of moving your accounts to Questrade (Up to $150 per account) Competitive margin rates: Questrade offers lowers margin rates than many of its competitors Registered platform: Regulated by CIRO, CIPF member Cons Canadian Options Fees: Fees for Canadian options trading ($0 + $0.99 per contract or free for USD equity options) are higher than some top competitor online brokerages Potential ECN Fees: Although Questrade absorbs most ECN fees, they may still apply under certain circumstances

Best for a well-rounded trading experience

9.1 Excellent Qtrade Direct Investing

9.1 Excellent

$0

$0

varies based on volume converted

$0

$80 Reward Finder Rewards: Join Finder then open a new Qtrade Direct Investing account through Finder as a new Qtrade client and fund it with a deposit that settles by the end of the promotion to receive an $80 digital Visa gift card. Ends 30 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply. Earn up to $5,000 in cashback (+$100 quick-pay bonus) when you open and fund a new Qtrade account. Valid until January 5, 2027. T&Cs apply.

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Why we like it Qtrade is another top pick for the best online brokerages in Canada that offers commission-free trades on both Canadian and US stocks and ETFs. Plus, at $0 + $0.75 per contract, it offers some of the lowest options fees of its competitor platforms. The platform supports advanced order types like stop-loss, stop-limit and trailing-stop orders. Advanced traders will appreciate that the platform offers access to Level 2 quotes for all Canadian exchanges during order execution and advanced technical charting. Beginner traders can take advantage Qtrade’s Portfolio Simulator—a tool that allows you to test how trades would impact your risk exposure before making the trade. The platform also boasts highly-rated customer support. Pros & cons Pros Invest in registered accounts: Supports all major registered account types, including RRSPs, TFSA, RESPs and FHSAs Competitive options trading fees: Qtrade’s $0 + $0.75 per contract options trading fee is cheaper than top competitors like Questrade and BMO Investorline Highly-rated customer support: Qtrade boasts that its customer support has been top rated for several years running Supports Norbert's Gambit: Qtrade supports Norbert's Gambit allowing for investors to save on large CAD/USD conversions Regulated by CIRO, CIPF member (through its parent company, Aviso Financial) Cons No fractional shares: Qtrade does not currently support fractional shares, so you can only purchase stocks and ETFs using the full amount bought at once USD registered account fees: Holding USD in registered accounts costs US$15 per quarter (excluding FHSA) No US Level 2 data: Level 2 data for US exchanges is not natively supported on Qtrade’s platform

Best brokerage for trading Canadian stocks

8.6 Great Wealthsimple Investing

8.6 Great

$0

$0

1.50%

$0

Get a 1% match cash bonus on eligible $25,000+ transfers from other financial institutions to your Wealthsimple Self-directed Investing and Managed Investing accounts. T&Cs apply.

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Why we like it Wealthsimple recently reported that 1 in 5 Canadians aged 18 to 40 use a Wealthsimple product, which isn’t surprising considering it offers some of the lowest fees of any platform in Canada along with a very user-friendly interface. The stock trading arm of Wealthsimple’s app comes with a $0 account fee, $0 stock trading fee, $0 ETF trades and $0 per-contract fee on equity options—a combination of free features that no other stock trading platform in Canada offers. Wealthsimple also supports a wide range of registered accounts, including TFSAs, RRSPs, FHSAs and RESPs, and fractional shares, so you can start investing with as little as $1. Another big perk of opting for Wealthsimple’s trading platform is its simple and easy-to-understand app interface. The app is highly rated across both iOS and Android. Pros & cons Pros A range of assets and account types: Wealthsimple also offers access to margin trading, options and physical gold trading Minimal additional fees: Wealthsimple absorbs most ECN fees and does not charge account inactivity fees Nearly all-in-one everyday finance platform: In addition to stock trading, the platform offers access to crypto trading and interest-earning chequing accounts for a seamless financial management experience Regulated by CIRO, CIPF member Cons Currency conversion fees: The platform charges a currency conversion fee of 1.50% USD account fee: USD trading accounts may require an ongoing monthly subscription fee to access, depending on the total assets you hold with the platform No support for Norbert's Gambit: The Wealthsimple app does not support Norbert's Gambit, which means that investors dealing with large CAD/USD conversions could end up paying more than on competitor platforms like Questrade or Interactive Brokers Not suitable for advanced traders: The platform doesn’t offer access to Level 2 market data, more complex charting tools or select specialized assets like bonds or mutual funds

Best trading platform for beginners

7.9 Great CIBC Investor's Edge

7.9 Great

$6.95

$0 if conditions are met, or $100

0.2%–1.6%

$0

Young investors 18 to 24 get free online Canadian and US stock and ETF trades and a $0 annual fee using CIBC Investor’s Edge and a chequing account with CIBC Smart Start. T&Cs apply.

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Why we like it CIBC Investor's Edge is our pick for the best beginner trading platform in Canada. It allows young people to start investing with the familiarity of a Big Bank with $0 commissions for stock and ETF trades, plus $0 annual fees, for students and young investors under 25 years old. With a stock trading fee of $6.95, the platform’s standard commission fees are lower than most other Big Bank self-directed investing platforms, including TD, BMO and RBC. Active traders can also access discounted trading fees. Just watch out that CIBC Investor's Edge charges an annual fee of $0 if conditions are met, or $100 otherwise. Your annual fee could be waived if the total market balance of all your accounts is greater than $10,000. Pros & cons Pros Seamless CIBC banking integration: Existing CIBC banking customers can seamlessly integrate their current chequing and savings accounts with their investment accounts Free FHSA accounts: There is no annual fee for FHSA accounts, regardless of your total market balance Select free ETFs: CIBC Investor's Edge offers commission-free trading for a select list of popular ETFs (like the VFV, VEQT and XIU), allowing you to avoid the platform’s standard $6.95 ETF trading fee Regulated by CIRO, CIPF member (through its parent company, CIBC Investor Services) Cons More expensive than online brokerages: Although the platform is cheaper than most Big Banks, you can definitely pay less fees with online brokerages like Questrade or Wealthsimple Some limited options: There is no on-platform support for fractional shares or instant funding options for non-CIBC customers Some lower app ratings: Although the mobile app has an overall positive rating, more recent user reviews have complained that the app is slow and buggy, which could hinder active traders

Best platform for an easy-to-use interface

8.2 Great BMO InvestorLine Self-Directed

8.2 Great

$0

$0

0.40% - 1.60%

$0

Get up to $20,000 cash back. Plus, get a chance to win $300,000. Apply by March 1, 2027. T&Cs apply.

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Why we like it BMO InvestorLine is a self-directed investing platform offered by BMO, giving investors the flexibility of managing their own investment portfolios with Big Bank backing, but still with access to some of the most competitive trading fees of any traditional bank in Canada—and on par with other commission-free fintech trading platforms. BMO InvestorLine offers $0 commission trades on stocks and ETFs, plus options contract fees start at $0.90 per contract. That fee structure is notable because most other traditional Canadian banks charge flat fees per trade. BMO is the first of the Big Five Banks to fully transition into the commission-free trading space. The platform also supports a wide range of investment account types. You can choose from various registered accounts including a TFSA, FHSA, RRSP, RESP and RRIF along with various locked-in accounts and options, CDRs, GICs, bonds and mutual funds. Pros & cons Pros Commission-free trades:You'll get $0 trades for all Canadian and US stocks and ETFs Options trading: BMO InvestorLine charges $0 + $0.90 per options contract, which is much lower than what other traditional banks charge BMO’s 5-Star Program: If you’re an active trader with over 15 trades per quarter or over $250,000 in investments, you can get access to dedicated support, resources and access to professional-level tools, like BMO Active Trader Competitive FX fees:The platform charges relatively competitive currency conversion fees of 0.40% - 1.60%, which is lower than some of its competitors Integration with BMO bank accounts: The platform seamlessly integrates with current BMO chequing and savings accounts, so existing BMO customers can manage and fund their accounts instantly Regulated by CIRO, CIPF member Cons No fractional shares: There is no support on the platform for fractional shares No demo account: The platform doesn't have a an option for demo account, which means there's no way to test out trades before trading in the real world Mobile app limitations: The platform's mobile app offers limited features for retail and active traders

Best for low margin rates

9.4 Excellent Interactive Brokers

9.4 Excellent

Min $1.00, Max 0.5%

$0

0.08–0.2 bps trade value, min $1.00–$2.00 USD

$0

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Why we like it It’s impossible to discuss the best stock trading apps in Canada without Interactive Brokers, also known as IBKR. It offers access to approximately 200 exchanges globally and over 100 different order types and tools—more than any other platform we looked at. And while the platform does charge commission fees per trade (unlike its top competitors Questrade and Qtrade), the more you trade, the cheaper your fees—and all IBKR commission fees are still much cheaper than what Big Banks charge. Plus, Interactive Broker’s margin trading interest rates are some of the most competitive on the entire Canadian market. More advanced traders will appreciate the platform's extensive suite of analytical and educational tools, as well as access to its customizable dashboard. It is an ideal platform for self-directed investors who want to take full control of their investments. Pros & cons Pros No account fees: Interactive Brokers does not charge account maintenance fees Access to fractional shares: IBKR offers fractional shares on thousands of popular stocks and ETFs Access to international exchanges: While most other trading platforms in Canada only support US and Canadian exchanges, IBKR offers access to 200 different exchanges worldwide with advanced order routing Multicurrency accounts: The platform supports funding your account in over 15 different currencies Supports AI integrated trading: IBKR allows AI connections via an MCP and certified marketplaces Spot FX vs. standard FX spread: Spot currency conversion charges 0.08–0.2 bps trade value, min $1.00–$2.00 USD, which allows you to access real-time interbank spot rates instead of paying embedded markups, eliminating the need for Norbert's Gambit Regulated by CIRO, CIPF member Cons Not suitable for beginner investors: With so many advanced features and options, the platform might be intimidating for beginner investors who plan to do a set-and-forget investment strategy ETF trading fee: Min. $1.00, Max. 0.5%, which is pricier than competitor commission-free platforms (although, notably, it’s much cheaper than bank brokers) Paid access to market data: There is a monthly subscription fee for real-time market data (but may be waivable)

Best online and mobile trading app

8.6 Great Moomoo

8.6 Great

$1.49/stock

$0

0%

$0

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Why we like it Moomoo is an online brokerage that serves beginner investors with its user-friendly interface and active traders with access to key advanced features. Active traders will especially appreciate Moomoo’s high-performance trading experience, free access to Level 2 market data, 24/7 global news and high-performance charting tools. While Moomoo does charge a trading fee of $1.49/stock, which is more expensive than its top competitors like Wealthsimple and Questrade, it is still much lower than what Big Bank platforms charge. Pros & cons Pros No account fee: Moomoo doesn’t charge any account maintenance fees Affordable options trading: US stocks and ETFs cost USD$0.99/stock (min. US$1.99 per trade), making Moomoo’s options fees affordable compared to many other investment platforms in Canada Level 2 data: Get free access to real-time US Level 2 Data where you can see up to 60 bid or ask price levels Advanced trading features: The platform supports 100+ technical indicators, multi-chart layouts, paper trading and customizable workspaces Regulated by CIRO, CIPF member Cons Limited investment accounts: While Moomoo offers TFSAs, RRSPs and Margin account, it does not support FHSAs, RESPs or RRIFs accounts. ETF trading fees: Trading ETFs on Moomoo could cost USD$0.99/share, which is more expensive than commission-free trading apps No access to fractional shares: Moomoo Canada does not offer support for fractional share trading

Best platform for trading features

8.2 Great RBC Direct Investing

8.2 Great

$6.95 - $9.95

$0

0.10% - 1.60%

$0

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Why we like it RBC Direct Investing has a solid range of features along with the backing of one of Canada’s biggest banks. It's one of the few trading platforms that offers extended trading hours, robo-advisory services, precious metals certificates and a demo practice trading account where you can trade with $100,000 in fake funds. Sign up and get real-time quotes for stocks and ETFs, and save on commissions when you make 150+ trades per quarter. It also supports direct online access to international stock exchanges (trading in 8 currencies), which is a rarity among Canadian trading apps. Pros & cons Pros No account fee: The RBC Direct Investing platform does not charge any quarterly or annual account maintenance fee, which sets it apart from most other Big Bank online brokerages that so charge account fees Select commission-free ETF trades: Get access to 50+ select popular commission-free ETFs Free practice trading account: You can use the platform’s free paper trading account to practice trading strategies with $100,000 of fake money Seamless integration with RBC’s everyday banking accounts, so you can keep all of your banking and investments under one roof Full support for registered accounts: RBC Direct Investing supports all major registered investment accounts including TFSAs, FHSAs, RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, and LIRAs. Regulated by CIRO, CIPF member Cons High stock trading fees: RBC Direct Investing charges higher stock trading fees than many non-bank stock brokerages High options trading costs: This platform charges relatively high options fees of $6.95 to $9.95 (+$1.25 per contract) High FX conversion rates: The platform charges typical CAD/USD currency conversion fees with bank spreads and no automated Norbert's Gambit tools No fractional shares: RBC Direct Investing does not offer support for fractional shares

Best Big Bank platform with a demo account

8.5 Great Scotia iTRADE

8.5 Great

$4.99 - $9.99

$0 if conditions met, otherwise $100/yr

Varies

$0

New clients can get up to $6,000 and free trades by opening and funding a new account. Valid until December 31, 2026. T&Cs apply.

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Why we like it Scotia iTRADE is our pick for the best trading app in Canada from a Big Bank and for paper trading. To start, of all Big Banks that offer commission-free trades on popular ETFs, Scotia iTRADE offers the widest selection of free ETFs at more than 200 options to choose from. You can also get your feet wet with different kinds of trades using Scotia iTRADE's practice account and $100,000 in fake CAD and USD funds. Scotia iTRADE commissions cost $4.99 - $9.99, with the lower cost tier available to active traders, with discounts also available for young investors and high-balance traders. So while fees run on the high side, you have access to many useful features, including third-party data, real-time quotes (extra fees may apply), watchlists, alerts and performance benchmarking tools. Pros & cons Pros Select free ETF trades: You’ll get commission-free trades for a selection of 200+ popular ETFs, including ones offered by Vanguard, iShares, JPMorgan and Schwab Instantly fund your account: You can instantly fund your account from your Scotiabank chequing account, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your everyday banking with your investments No fee USD registered accounts: You can hold USD in a TFSA, FHSA, RRSP or RRIF with no account fees, helping you save currency conversion fees on US dividends Regulated by CIRO, CIPF member Cons High annual account fee: Unless you meet certain criteria, you’ll be charged a baseline account fee of $100 per year for registered and unregistered accounts other than TFSAs and FHSAs Costly commission fees structures: Compared to Scotia iTRADE, other platforms offer cheaper commission fees—including free stock trading platforms—from online brokerages like Questrade, Qtrade and Wealthsimple. Expensive options trading: You’ll be charged $9.99 + $1.25 per contract ($4.99 + $1.25 contract if completed 150 trades or more a quarter) to trade options No support for fractional shares: Scotia iTRADE does not support fractional share trading

Best trading platform by a Big Six Bank

7.8 Great National Bank Direct Brokerage

7.8 Great

$0

$0 if conditions met, otherwise $100/year

Varies

$0

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Why we like it While many other Big Bank brokerages have made our list of the best stock trading apps, the National Bank Direct Brokerage takes top spot. It was the first major Canadian bank brokerage to eliminate trading commissions on Canadian and US stock and ETF trades. Its fee structure is not only lower than other Big Banks, it’s on par with online brokerages like Moomoo and IBKR. Its options fees are also competitive at $0 commission + $1.25 per contract (min. $6.25). Where this platform falls short compared to other online brokerages is its account fee, which can be $0 if conditions met, otherwise $100/year. Pros & cons Pros The only standard commission-free Big Bank trading app: This trading app gives you the backing and feeling of security that comes with investing with a traditional bank, but with the fee structure of an online brokerage Supports Norbert's Gambit: National Bank Direct Brokerage supports manual share journaling (via a phone call) to execute Norbert's Gambit through dual-currency CAD/USD accounts Mutual Funds and GICs: Get commission-free trading for mutual funds, GICs and exchange-traded debentures Fully-Paid Securities Lending Program: An optional program where investors can earn passive income by lending fully-paid securities Regulated by CIRO, CIPF member (through its parent company, National Bank Financial) Cons High account fee: Unless you maintain account balances greater than $20,000 or are a young investor 30 years old or under, you’ll likely be required to pay an expensive annual account fee No fractional shares: National Bank Direct Brokerage does not offer support for fractional shares Fee for Level 2 data: You’ll have to pay an additional fee for access to Level 2 data No human live chat: Live chat is exclusively handled by bots, so you can’t get human live chat support

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Summary: Canada’s best stock trading platforms

What is the best stock trading app in Canada for mobile?

Out of the apps we reviewed, the highest-rated stock trading apps overall are the National Bank Direct Brokerage app and Interactive Brokers (IBKR Mobile), followed by Questrade, Moomoo and Wealthsimple. These trading apps received high ratings across both the Apple App Store for iOS and the Google Play Store for Android.

Here is a summary of stock trading app ratings in Canada for iPhones and Androids:

What is the best free stock trading app in Canada?

Based on our top picks, the best free stock trading apps that don’t charge a trading fee and come with a $0 account fee are Questrade and Moomoo.

Most stock trading apps are free to download and free to sign up for an account. But there are fees you need to be aware of when you trade.

The most common fee is the brokerage’s commission. While some brokers charge $0 commissions on certain assets, many charge a flat fee per trade. Even if an app advertises fee-free trading, this typically only applies to a limited selection of assets (such as Canadian stocks and ETFs).

There are other fees to be aware of too. Many (but not all) brokerages charge a monthly fee if your account balance doesn’t exceed a minimum limit, while fees and currency conversion costs may apply if you trade foreign stocks and ETFs.

That’s why, even if a brokerage says it offers “$0 commissions” or “no fees,” it’s always important to check the fine print. Compare a range of apps to find the best free stock trading app for you.

Low-cost and commission-free stock trading in Canada

Our expert says

"It’s easy to think that the first thing to do when starting to invest is to choose the right platform and then, secondly, decide on your investments. But that’s actually not the case. Instead, it’s better to decide on your investments first.

Different trading platforms are specially designed for different investment styles.

Are you planning to invest once a month with a set-and-forget strategy? Then a brokerage platform with no commission fees and an easy-to-use interface, like Wealthsimple or National Bank Direct Brokerage, will be ideal.

Or, are you planning to actively trade and use different order types? Then a well-rounded trading platform that can adapt to your trading strategies will be more important (like Interactive Brokers or Questrade), even if there are some fees involved.

There really is no one-size-fits-all investing platform because everyone approaches investing differently depending on their risk tolerance and how actively they want to be involved in managing their investments. So it’s best to decide your approach first, and then pick the platform that matches it."

Chelsey Hurst

Growth Manager (Banking & Investments)

What is the best bank-based trading platform in Canada?

The trading platforms offered by banks that made our list of the best trading brokerages are CIBC Investor’s Edge, RBC Direct Investing, Scotia iTRADE, BMO InvestorLine and National Bank Direct Brokerage. These banks offer well-rounded trading platforms with competitive features and fee structures.

TD Canada Trust also offers various online stock trading platforms, with its TD Direct Investing platform offering similar features to its Big Bank counterparts and narrowly falling short of a spot on our list of best trading platforms. Notably, TD additionally offers TD Easy Trade, which is its more scaled back, free trading platform.

What is the best trading platform for options trading?

The best trading platform for options trading is Questrade. Notably, Questrade also offers commission-free trades for stock and ETFs and the lowest overall options trading fees out of all of the trading platforms we researched, at $0 + $0.99 per contract or free for USD equity options.

What is the best trading platform for beginners?

Our pick for the best trading platform for beginners is CIBC Investor’s Edge, because it offers a user-friendly platform, educational resources and analysis/research tools to help you get started. As a new investor, you’ll also appreciate having access to analyst reports from CIBC Capital Markets, Thomson Reuters and more to help you decide when it’s best to buy, sell or hold.

Is there a difference between online trading platforms and trading apps?

The only real difference between online trading platforms and a trading app is the device—online trading is typically done on a computer, while mobile trading is done through an app.

That said, almost all trading platforms in Canada offer the exact same features on both their online platforms and mobile apps, so people tend to use the terms interchangeably.

If being able to manage your portfolio and make trades on the go is a top priority for you, than look for a platform that offers a well-developed mobile app. If you’re an active trader, having a more robust online trading platform will likely be more valuable to you.

What is the best online brokerage in Canada?

Our top pick for the best online brokerage is also our pick for the best overall trading platform—Questrade. It offers a wide range of trading options, including some less-common ones like fractional shares, precious metals, IPOs, mutual funds and forex trading. You can also access a paper trading account to practice different trading strategies with no risk. You can access all of these tools and resources through Questrade’s online brokerage platform and highly-rated mobile app.

How to choose the best trading app and platform

The best trading app for you might not be the same for someone else. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor, you have your own unique requirements for a trading app. That’s why it’s important to consider the following factors when comparing your options.

Brokerage fees

Even the best trading platforms will charge some fees. Some brokerages don’t charge any commissions on Canadian stock and ETF trades, while others charge a flat fee that’s typically $5–$10 per trade. Still others charge a fee based on the number of stocks you buy, for example $0.01 per share.

Other fees

There are a few other fees that may apply, such as:

• Subscription fees to access features like market news, real-time data and expert analysis
• Inactivity fees if you don’t make any trades for a specified period of time
• Minimum balance fees if your account balance is less than a specified minimum
• Currency conversion fees if you trade on foreign markets

Ease of use

The best stock trading apps are easy to use right from the moment you sign up. A user-friendly interface is particularly important if you’re a novice investor, so search for an app that’s simple and intuitive. Reading user reviews is a great way to work out if an app is well designed.

Market access

Do you only want to trade Canadian stocks and ETFs, or do you want to invest in US, European, Asian and emerging markets? If you want to trade international stocks, be aware that not all brokerages provide access to foreign stock exchanges. Check the list of exchanges you can access and what fees apply for overseas trading.

Tradable assets

Check which securities you can trade from each brokerage’s app. The best trading platforms will give you access to wide-range of trading options, such as:

• Stocks
• ETFs
• Options
• Bonds
• Futures
• Mutual funds
• Forex
• Cryptocurrencies

Research and analysis

Find out what sort of research and analysis you can access through the app. For example, you may be able to access in-depth market analysis from the brokerage’s in-house team or a third-party service plus be kept up to date with the latest market news.

Minimum investment amount

Check if the brokerage has a minimum account balance requirement. Some providers don’t have any minimum limits, but others will charge a monthly fee if your balance is less than a specified amount.

Customer support

If you ever have a problem with a trade or a question about your account, how can you get in touch with your brokerage’s customer support team? Check the contact methods available and the hours during which the support team is available. The best trading platforms will offer some type of online help center with useful resources like chat bots to help you find answers.

Other features

Put together a list of any other key features you want in a trading app, such as:

• Advanced charting tools and technical indicators
• Stock screeners that let you narrow down potential investments
• Automated investing with a robo-advisor
• Social trading that allows you to see and copy other people’s trades
• Educational resources to help you learn about trading and how to use the app’s features

Other platforms

If you’ll also be placing trades through your brokerage’s web-based or desktop platform, check if those platforms are user-friendly and offer all the key features you need. If there’s a free demo account, use it to put a platform through its paces with virtual, rather than real, money.

Is it regulated?

Make sure you only consider brokerages that are regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), and that the funds you deposit will be covered under the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF).

All of our picks for the best trading apps are members of CIRO and CIPF, meaning if a platform goes under, your money will be protected up to specified amounts. Some providers also offer two-factor authentication and high-level data encryption to keep your account safe.

User reviews

Beyond your phone’s app store where you can read user reviews, you can also explore customer feedback on sites like the Better Business Bureau and Reddit to find out what investors really think about the platform and what issues they run into. Are they happy with the app? Are there any major problems repeatedly mentioned in reviews? Is there a common theme about how the app could be improved?

Our expert says

"The best trading platforms are the ones that offer a combination of low fees, numerous investment options, a modern trading platform and plentiful resources that help you learn and grow as a trader. But at the end of the day, personal preference matters too."

Matt Miczulski

Investments editor and market analyst

Investment app news & updates

• October 10, 2026: US-founded investment apps Webull and Robinhood reported record-setting revenue in Q2 2026, with earnings up 51% and 32% YoY for each company, respectively. Positive growth reported by other personal investment apps, including eToro and Futu (which owns Moomoo), reflects the growing popularity of retail trading platforms among personal investors.
• July 30, 2026: Questrade becomes the first Canada-based financial institution to offer agentic finance features with the announcement that AI chatbots like Claude and ChatGPT can now link to clients’ accounts to view and analyze their portfolios.
• June 1, 2026: US trading app Robinhood expands into Canada after acquiring WonderFi, which owns crypto trading apps Bitbuy and Coinsquare. However, it only plans to offer crypto trading, not traditional investments like stocks.
• June 1, 2026: Interactive Brokers announces that clients can now link their accounts to Claude to ask questions, generate trade instructions and review and submit orders. Other AI chatbot integrations will be rolled out soon.

What matters to Canadians when choosing a stock trading platform?

Fees and commissions are the most important factor to Canadians when choosing an investment platform, according to the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey March 2026. Among those considering opening a stock trading account, 30% selected this as their top priority.

The next most important factors for Canadians choosing a trading app are customer support (25%), user-friendliness (23%) and the range of tradable assets the platform offers (18%).

Which assets are investors drawn to this year? Nearly four in ten (39%) rate stocks as the most appealing type of investment in 2026, followed by mutual funds (36%) and GICs (34%). Among the least popular types of investments are crypto (15%), crypto ETFs (9%) and crypto meme coins (6%).

What are the pros and cons of stock trading apps?

Before you download a stock trading app and sign up for an account, make sure you’re aware of the benefits and drawbacks of trading on the platform:

Bottom line

There are many things to consider when choosing a stock trading platform or app to buy and sell stocks and other securities. The right trading platform for you will match your needs, so if on-the-go trading is your number one concern, you’ll probably end up choosing a different app than someone who’s focused on commodity trading.

The key thing to remember is to do your research and compare a range of trading platforms first.

Frequently asked questions

• What app can I use to buy stocks in Canada?

  There are over 13 apps you can choose from to buy stocks in Canada. Some are operated by major banks, while others are run by online brokerages. Make sure you compare a range of stock trading apps to find one that suits your needs.

• Which is the best stock trading platform in Canada?

  Questrade is one of our top picks for the best stock trading platform in Canada. But it may not be right for every investor. Consider your priorities and investment style.

  Do you need a beginner-friendly platform? CIBC Investor's Edge or Wealthsimple are favourites with new investors who want to keep things uncomplicated. Do you trade frequently? National Bank Direct Brokerage can help you keep costs down with commission-free stock and ETF trades. If you want to practice trading before committing real money, RBC Direct Investing and Scotia iTRADE offer demo accounts with fake funds.

• Which stock trading app is the best for beginners in Canada?

  We think Wealthsimple and CIBC Investor's Edge are among the best stock trading platforms for beginners. If you're searching for a beginner-friendly trading app, look for one with a clean user interface, no account minimums, no (or waivable) account fees and educational resources to help boost your trading knowledge.

• Where can I download stock trading apps?

  You can download stock trading apps from the relevant app store for your smartphone's operating system. If you're on Apple's iOS, you'll need to head to the App Store. If you're an Android user, you'll find the apps you need at Google Play.

• Is Robinhood available in Canada?

  No, Robinhood isn't available in Canada and there has been no definitive statement about when or if it will arrive. However, you might like to check out our guide to Robinhood alternatives in Canada. You can also check out alternatives to these other global platforms below that aren't available in Canada:

  • NinjaTrader (only available in Ontario)
  • tastytrade
  • eToro
  • E-Trade
  • Firstrade
  • Charles Schwab
  • Pepperstone
  • Stash app

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Jason Loewenthal as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Tim Falk

Writer

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Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 20-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

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Tim has written 597 Finder guides across topics including:

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Stacie Hurst

Editor

Stacie Hurst is an editor at Finder, specializing in loans, banking, investing and money transfers. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Writing, and she has completed FP Canada Institute's Financial Management Course. Before working in the publishing industry, Stacie completed one year of law school in the United States. When not working, she can usually be found watching K-dramas or playing games with her friends and family. See full bio

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Stacie has written 234 Finder guides across topics including:

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• Personal Loans
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